FLBandit

I think alot of it is perception. Unfortunately, the fully equipped commuting bikes look kind of uncool, whereas the stripped down models have somewhat of a "Hotrod" appeal. The dealers are gonna stock what sells. I've been commuting for almost a year now and have yet to see anyone riding a fully dressed commuter. However, I see MTBs everywhere.

HiYoSilver

Wasn't looking at price. Last time I looked at rohloff, there was some other problem. I don't recall what it was right now.
And I don't recall the gear changes being < 10%. I think the problem may have been either weight or serviceability. Maybe someone is familiar with these systems can tell us what they are like.

jcm

I think the Breezer Uptown 8 is a great commuter bike. I got to try one for a couple days and really liked it. Very hilly from my house. I think derailleurs are fine, too. I'd be tempted to buy an Uptown except I've already put mods into my old T830 for commuting (big fenders, flaps, rack, bars, stem, saddle, 1.5 tires). Around here the Uptown 8 goes for about $800 complete, including the capacitor lighting. I think I've got about that into the Battlebike, but with battery lighting.

The only thing I would change would be the saddle. You can always count on having to do that. I'd go Brooks B-67.

I-Like-To-Bike

Probably true in US.

Good commuters can be bought in Europe for much less. So much less that it would probably be cheaper to fly to Germany on a discounted airline ticket, make the purchase, and bringing it back. I bought two new quite good commuter bikes (one man's/one woman's frame) in Germany with full fenders, chainguard, fenders, rack, lights, basket, pump, lights, 7 speed internal gears w/coaster hubs on aluminum wheelshubs for about $130 each in 2000. The only needed change for my taste was replacing the original saddle with Brooks leather seats. The one B73 I bought in Germany cost $50, new.

GGDub

Kablamm!

https://www.workcycles.com/Products/A...ansportHD.html

You're right though ILTB, I'm thinking a trip to china is in order, strictly so I can pick up a cheap upright. There's a place here in Calgary that sells dutch-style bikes, but they're charging something like C$1300, which is pretty ridiculous. In Leiden, I saw the same bike for 200-300 euros.

vrkelley

Agreed, most other vehicles come with standard stuff. Like if you buy a car and you live in a Southern state, the car still comes with wind shield wipers etc.

Granted racing bike doesn't need racks/fenders and bags.

Agreeing with the many comments here. Yeah, Bek, shoes that can't get wet and... once wet they don't dry quickly...that sucks. The Mountain bike shoes are usually at least wind/water resistant (no bootie required).

Maybe some marketing guru's will come up with more commuter-specific bikes, shoes and other gear

slagjumper

I think that something like 33-50% of LBS profits come from accessories.

I think that people like to choose what they get and so the fully loaded bike does not make a whole lot of sense.

Chain gaurds-- The only bike that I have with a chain guard is a 50s middle weight Schwinn. I dont like em. Even among fixies, chain guards just dont make fashion sense. I do a lot of weekend riding on a hundred mile, crushed limestone bike path. I've considered doing an all plastic, fully enclosed drive system, but I'd have to use an internal hub-- and they have issues, like friction and cost.

I'd pay 200 for some descent gortex shoes that didn't look too geeky. But I could also see the advantage of buying 2 pairs of $60 shoes and cheap booties or gators.

pinkrobe

I'm not totally sold on the Dutch-style bikes. The Opal-ux "Grandpa" bike on the WorkCycles page would be ideal for Holland. It's upright, has all-steel wheels, reinforced tubing, etc. It must weigh 40 pounds, which is great if you live in a place with no hills.

Somebody touched on it earlier - user requirements and product design must mesh for an effective commuter bike to be produced. User requirements are going to be regional, and be heavily influenced by weather and local terrain. For myself, a chain guard is completely unnecessary, as are special grips, a rear rack, and built in lights. I do need a bike that is light and agile, with gearing that will allow me to get where I need to go without too much grunting. Fenders are really great, and I run them on both my commuters. Right now, my commuter is my old road racing bike, with caliper brakes and 1 speed. It's ideal for me, on my commute and my climate. IF I lived someplace rainier or flatter or with crappier roads, I would need to be using a different bike.

It takes different strokes to move the world, yes it does...